Radioisotopes in Medicine
The Understanding the Atom Series
Nuclear energy is playing a vital role in the life of everyman, woman, and child in the United States today. In theyears ahead it will affect increasingly all the peoples of theearth. It is essential that all Americans gain an understandingof this vital force if they are to discharge thoughtfully theirresponsibilities as citizens and if they are to realize fully themyriad benefits that nuclear energy offers them.
The United States Atomic Energy Commission providesthis booklet to help you achieve such understanding.
Edward J. Brunenkant, DirectorDivision of Technical Information
UNITED STATES ATOMIC ENERGY COMMISSION
- Dr. Glenn T. Seaborg, Chairman
- James T. Ramey
- Wilfrid E. Johnson
- Dr. Theos J. Thompson
- Dr. Clarence E. Larson
Radioisotopes in Medicine
by Earl W. Phelan
CONTENTS
- INTRODUCTION 1
- History 1
- What Is Radiation? 5
- What Is Radioactivity? 5
- What Are Radioisotopes? 6
- How Are Radioisotopes Used? 7
- What Do We Mean by Tracer Atoms? 9
- DIAGNOSIS 11
- Pinpointing Disease 11
- Arsenic-74 14
- Chromium-51 15
- Cobalt-60 16
- Iodine-131 18
- Iron-59 23
- Phosphorus-32 24
- Sodium-24 25
- Technetium-99m 26
- Thulium-170 and Gamma Radiography 27
- Tritium 28
- Activation Analysis 30
- Summary 30
- THERAPY 31
- A Successful Case 31
- General Principles 32
- Iodine-131 and Iodine-132 32
- Boron-10 33
- Phosphorus-32 35
- Gold-198 37
- Beads, Needles, and Applicators 38
- Teletherapy 41
- CONCLUSIONS 43
- APPENDIX 44
- SUGGESTED REFERENCES 47
United States Atomic Energy Commission
Division of Technical Information
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